José Alvarado back Tuesday and Phillies might as well use him a ton

It was far from the biggest news on a day when Zack Wheeler underwent a procedure to remove a blood clot in his right upper extremity, but José Alvarado was back in the Phillies’ clubhouse Monday afternoon.

The Phils’ series opener against the Mariners is the 80th and final regular-season game of Alvarado’s PED suspension. He will, of course, be barred from pitching in the playoffs.

The Phillies will activate Alvarado on Tuesday but he won’t immediately slot back into high-leverage work. Manager Rob Thomson said he’ll try to ease the lefty in. Still, that softer landing spot could occur at a key point in the game against a left-handed section even if it’s the sixth inning.

“Exactly the same,” Thomson said of how Alvarado has looked. “He touched 100 on his rehab assignment so he looks good.”

Alvarado made five rehab outings with Triple-A Lehigh Valley from August 7-17, all of them scoreless. He did walk three in the second-to-last appearance.

“Two outings ago was a little bit rough for him but I watched the tape and he really didn’t miss by much,” Thomson said. “And the last outing (Sunday) looked like he was back to normal.”

Even though he can’t help in the postseason, Alvarado can be a useful piece for the Phillies over the final 37 games. He’s a fresh arm who can help preserve relievers like Matt Strahm, Tanner Banks and perhaps even Jhoan Duran if he pitches his way back into late-inning duty. And since the Phillies know that he won’t be around for the playoffs, they could work Alvarado hard. With 37 games to go, why not use him 20 times? Alvarado has a 2.70 ERA in 20 appearances this season, 16 of them scoreless.

The Phillies’ rotation was dealt a massive blow with the Wheeler news, which changes the complexion of the entire roster. Everyone will have to step up and the Phillies will likely even be more reliant on the bullpen, which could become the strength of the team with Duran, Alvarado, David Robertson, Strahm and Orion Kerkering.

Robertson made his (third) Phillies debut during their 10-game road trip, delivering two scoreless eighth innings and a scoreless ninth.

“He’s a veteran presence down there,” Thomson said. “Brings a lot of calmness to the bullpen, nothing scares him. It’s good to have him.”